Yankees acquire David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle, and Todd Frazier: Media reactions

A year ago the Yankees surprised everyone when they decided to become sellers at the trade deadline, parting with Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, Ivan Nova, and Carlos Beltran in exchange for a treasure trove of prospects. This year, the Yankees have done an about face, emphatically announcing themselves as buyers. A seven-player deal with the Chicago White Sox brings David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle, and Todd Frazier to New York, while Tyler Clippard, Tito Polo, Blake Rutherford, and Ian Clarkin head to Chicago.

Rumors swirled earlier in the day on Tuesday that the trio of White Sox players were headed to the Boston Red Sox. Midway through the Yankees game with the Minnesota Twins, it was reported that they were instead headed to the Bronx. The deal was officially announced following the conclusion of the Yankees 6-3 victory.

David Robertson returns home after spending two plus seasons with the White Sox. Robertson was drafted by the Yankees in the seventeenth round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft. He signed a four-year deal with the White Sox prior to the 2015 season. Robertson has thrown 33 1/3 innings for Chicago this year, and is 4-2 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.960 WHIP in 31 games.

Tommy Kahnle was drafted by the Yankees in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft, but was lost to the Colorado Rockies in the 2013 Rule 5 draft. He was subsequently traded to the White Sox where he has flourished as a right-handed setup man. Kahnle has pitched 27 1/3 innings this season for the White Sox. He is 1-3 with a 2.50 ERA and 0.972 WHIP in 37 games.

Frazier is batting .207 with 16 home runs and 44 runs batted in this season. He has a .328 on-base percentage, .432 slugging percentage, and a .761 OPS. Frazier also has experience playing first base, which is where the Yankees are likely to use him.

Blake Rutherford was drafted by the Yankees in the first round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft and was listed as the Yankees number three prospect. Ian Clarkin was selected by the Yankees in the first round in 2013, and was the Yankees number eleven prospect. Tito Polo came over from the Pirates in the Ivan Nova trade last summer. None of the three prospects have played above High-A.

I don't know if I would consider this trade a "blockbuster for the ages," but it was finalized. Frazier's on-base, slugging, and OPS are better than what the Yankees have gotten at first base so far this season. He also represents a defensive upgrade over the likes of Chris Carter. I'm just having trouble getting excited about Frazier.

True, the Yankees didn't have to give up any prospects that are close to big league ready. That's a positive. I would have been really upset if they gave up Miguel Andujar or Clint Frazier.

The Yankees already passed on Jose Quintana. His price was high. The Cubs gave up their top two prospects to get him. Hopefully, the asking price for Sonny Gray, Gerrit Cole, or Johnny Cueto will be more reasonable.

I liked Clippard a lot and will miss him. His inconsistency was a problem though. Robertson and Kahnle represent a definite upgrade to the bullpen.

We already know what Robertson can do. He excels pitching in the pressure cooker that is Yankee Stadium. His late-inning work is one of the reasons the Yankees won the World Series in 2009.

Yes, it matters. Bryce, who?

We can all be glad that these three players are coming here instead of Boston. There is still time before the deadline though. It will be interesting to see what kind of counter-moves the Red Sox make.

John Harper of the New York Daily News reported that the Yankees "are motivated by concern for closer Aroldis Chapman, specifically his lack of a swing-and-miss fastball." Not a great look in the first year of a five-year contract.